Throughout the United States there are a few training and certification programs for honey show judges and some include training of other honey show officials such as stewards and show secretaries. Listed below is general information about several programs that we are aware of along with links to each program.

Judge Certification Program
Judge Certification Program

DO YOU HAVE A HONEY JUDGE TRAINING AND/OR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?  

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Alabama

THE AL Program is inactive at this time. In 2018 the Alabama Master Beekeeper Symposium offered the Alabama Welsh Honey Judge training and certifications in conjunction with the Young Harris-UGA Beekeeping Institute.  The inaugural class of Alabama certified Welsh Honey Judges graduated in 2019.

Florida

Florida hosts the biannual University of Florida (UF), Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS), Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab (HBREL) Bee College which includes the Florida Honey Judge Program training and certification program. Participants learn the art and science of judging honey, candles, mead, and more using judging traditions initially developed in the U.K.

Georgia

Georgia is home to the annual Young Harris College-UGA Beekeeping Institute.  Since 2001, the Beekeeping Institute has offered training and certifications for honey show judges in the American based Welsh honey judging system.  The Georgia Welsh Honey Judge program is administered and credentialed through the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Honeybee Program.

Maryland

The Maryland State Apiary Inspector's Office and Maryland State Beekeepers Association offers training and certification to beekeepers aspiring to become honey judges.  The program utilizes a hand-on apprentice-style approach to training judges. 

Ohio

The Ohio State Beekeepers Association offers courses in Basic Honey Judge Training as well as an Advanced Honey Judge Training.  The Ohio program does not currently offer a formal certification.

South Carolina

SC started a SC Welsh Honey Judging Academy in 2020 utilizing the American based Welsh honey show judging system. Training will be offered in conjunction with their Spring and Summer meetings.

Books on Judge Training

Featured
A Handbook for Honey Judges and Beekeepers Exhibiting Hive Products
Honey Judging, Judge Training, Judging Products
A Handbook for Honey Judges and Beekeepers Exhibiting Hive Products
Honey Judging, Judge Training, Judging Products

An essential addition to any exhibitor’s or event tool box, this 72 page guide helps you bring home the ribbon.

Honey Judging, Judge Training, Judging Products
Honey Shows: Guidelines for Exhibitors, Superintendents and Judges
Honey Judging, Judge Training, Judging Products
Honey Shows: Guidelines for Exhibitors, Superintendents and Judges
Honey Judging, Judge Training, Judging Products

Guidelines and General Considerations, Liquid Honey, Crystalized Honey, Comb Honey, Cut Comb Honey, Chunk Honey, Bulk Frames of Honey, Beeswax, Observation HIves, Novelties, Beekeepers' Gadgets, Mead (Honey Wine), Baked Goods and Candy, Government and Grading Honey and Beeswax, Addenda and Anecdotes, Index.

Honey Judging, Judge Training, Judging Products